Antarctica

Discover another world beyond our own

Cruises to Antarctica

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
Up to $6800 OFF

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

Meet at least six penguin species

OTL29-24 This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.

m/v Ortelius

m/v Ortelius

Cruise date:

2 Feb - 21 Feb, 2024

Berths start from:

11000 USD

Antarctica - Basecamp
Up to $5900 OFF

Antarctica - Basecamp

The best activity voyage in Antarctica

OTL25-24 The Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic Region. This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, go mountaineering, and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies.

m/v Ortelius

m/v Ortelius

Cruise date:

12 Dec - 24 Dec, 2023

Berths start from:

4550 USD

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
Up to $5700 OFF

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

Meet at least six penguin species

HDS26-24 This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

4 Jan - 22 Jan, 2024

Berths start from:

11000 USD

Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
Up to $3800 OFF

Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage

Classic Antarctica including Deception Island

OTL27-24 This Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands cruise delivers you into a landscape of dark rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and thousands of penguins.

m/v Ortelius

m/v Ortelius

Cruise date:

5 Jan - 15 Jan, 2024

Berths start from:

6050 USD

Atlantic Odyssey incl. Antarctic Peninsula to Cape Verde
Up to $3120 OFF

Atlantic Odyssey incl. Antarctic Peninsula to Cape Verde

HDS30D25 The Atlantic Odyssey cruise visits some of the remotest islands in the world, crossing the migratory paths of Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skuas, other birds, and a variety of whales as they make their annual expeditions north for the breeding season.

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

14 Mar - 25 Apr, 2025

Berths start from:

15435 USD

Antarctica cruise video

Antarctica story

Crossing, Kayaking, Camping: Three Antarctic Adventures

Crossing the Drake Passage rewards thousands of tourists every year with one of the most incredible paradises on planet

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Antarctica blog

Oceanwide Expeditions donates €1060 to nature charities

This year we will donate €1,060 to the following conservation charities based on guest reviews: World Wildlife Fund, Bir

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Antarctica wildlife

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Antarctica cruise reviews

Overall rating based on 461 votes

A dream comes true
by Kok Loon Owang

Wilderness means everything to me. It has always been my dream to see the wildlife in the REAL wild. Not zoo or sanctuary. By joining this expedition, my dream has finally come true and fulfilled beyond my expe

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The Amazing Antarctica
by Dwayne Brown

The first trip of the year for the Ortelius to the Weddell Sea and we were treated to not only spectacular weather, but so much active wildlife and an expedition team that was second to none. While Oceanwide c

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Great Antarctica Cruise with Cheeseman Ecology Safaries
by Jene Curell

We had a wonderful experience with your Plancius crew during our recent Cheeseman Antarctica safari. The service was exceptional and the food was great! In fact, the food was better than I had on my Viking Ri

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Dick van der Kroef
Fantastic trip
by Dick van der Kroef

Well done. Very committed, excellent improvising skill in ever changing weather conditions. Strickt on the ball and very seriously dealing with biosecurity risks. All in all a great adventure for those who want

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Sue Crowe
Amazing Antarctica
by Sue Crowe

I cannot fault the professionalism of the Plancius crew - the ship was terrific, the service five star, the staff were welcoming, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable - no question went unanswered and nothing wa

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Antarctica FAQ

Where is Antarctica?

Antarctica is the fifth largest of the seven continents. Antarctica has two large indentations which are the Ross Sea and the Weddell Sea. The nearest continent is South America. The total surface of Antarctica is 14.2 Million square kilometres (abou

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What is the time zone in Antarctica?

The time zone in Antarctica is the same as the time zone in New Zealand:  GMT + 12 hours. On regular Antarctic trips we operate in the same time zone as Ushuaia, Argentina: GMT – 3 hours. 

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Is it dangerous to visit Antarctica?

No, the remote location, frozen landscape, and unpredictable weather can make tourism operations in Antarctica tricky, but Oceanwide Expeditions has the right experience, knowledge, and expertise to stay safe in the Antarctic. 

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What is the climate at Antarctica?

Antarctica is the coldest and also the windiest continent in the world. The lowest temperature on Earth was recorded in Antarctica. There are three climatic regions in Antarctica: The interior of the continent: This is the extremely cold area of A

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What is the Antarctic landscape like?

Antarctica consists of two main areas. East Antarctica (Greater Antarctica) and West Antarctica (Antarctic Peninsula). More than 98% of Antarctica is covered with ice. The land is covered with ice and snow. Antarctica’s two parts are separated

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What kinds of plants and animals are there in Antarctica?

The vegetation at Antarctica is limited to around 350 species of mostly lichens, mosses, and algae. Various sea birds, seals, and penguins are often seen in Antarctica such as the Emperor Penguin, Adelie Penguin, Orcas, Humpback whales, Weddell Seals

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About

Antarctic Weather

Witness some of Earth’s most beautiful scenery in one of Earth’s least hospitable environments. Antarctica is the coldest, highest, windiest, and driest of all Earth’s continents, though it grants our cruise passengers access to many of the most dazzling sights our planet has to offer. Gray rock peaks punch out of the wind-carved snow, passing icebergs dot the dark blue waters, and wildlife abounds that can be seen nowhere else – all serving to remind us that we are truly in another world.


Along the Antarctic coasts (where we travel on our cruises) temperatures can reach as high as 10°C (50°F) during a hot summer day, and on a regular day can plummet to barely above freezing. But just because you’re in the coldest spot on Earth doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable: Our vessels are consummately designed to make your voyage as pleasant as possible. And if you’re still unsure what clothing to pack, we’ll give you all the information you need to stay warm and dry before you join us on our exploration of the Antarctic.

Facts About Antarctica

  • Antarctica is larger than Europe
  • Because Antarctica experiences so little precipitation, it is technically a desert
  • The name “Antarctica” comes from a Greek phrase meaning “opposite to north”
  • Almost 62% of the freshwater ice on Earth exists in Antarctica. If all that ice melted today, the world’s oceans would swell by about 60 meters (197 feet)
  • The coldest temperature ever recorded was at the Antarctic research station Vostok, on July 21, 1983, when the thermometer dropped to a teeth-chattering -89.2°C (-128.6°F), cold enough to shatter steel
  • Despite the cold, the biggest documented mass of living creatures — a 10,000,000-ton school of krill — was spotted in the Antarctic
  • The first confirmed sighting of Antarctica was in 1820, though it would take almost a century — until 1911, to be exact — before a human being set foot on the continent

Travel to Antarctica

An Antarctic cruise means visiting a part of Earth that has remained largely unchanged since Aristotle first gave rise to the notion of Terra Australis, or the ”Land of the South”.

Taking one of our cruises also means acquainting yourself with the real survivalists of the Antarctic: the seals, whales, and so many penguins who call the region home.

Our Antarctica cruises offer you an experience unlike any you’ve had. Take a Zodiac cruise among the towering blue-white icebergs, kayak alongside curious whales, introduce yourself to the inquisitive penguins, dive into a new world under the sea, camp beneath the polar sky, or climb to a rugged vista for a bird’s-eye view of the landscape. To see a list of all your many options, check out our dedicated Antarctica cruise page.

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